Syria: 'At least 68 children among 126 killed' in bus bombing: The explosion shattered buses and set cars on fire, leaving a trail of bodies, as the convoy waited in rebel territory near Aleppo.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39613313


Watch: US report on Idlib attack 'misinterprets evidence', 'politically motivated - professor :
Theodore Postol, professor of national security policy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), questioned more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BAzQwOepcU&feature=youtu.be


Those Condemning Syria Have Themselves Recently Used Chemical Weapons:
U.S. used chemical weapons against civilians in Iraq in 2004. Evidence here
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2017/04/condemning-syria-recently-used-chemical-weapons.html


BRICS Issues Joint Statement: Illegal Military Intervention in Syria Is Unacceptable:
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have issued a joint BRICS statement condemning military action in Syria that has not been authorized by the United Nations.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2017/04/condemning-syria-recently-used-chemical-weapons.html


Time U.S.Explored How to End Wars it has Caused Since 2001, Rather Than Dropping Bombs: News Analysis -
"A widely held sentiment inside the White House is that many of the most prominent foreign policy think tanks in Washington are doing the bidding of their Arab and pro-Israel funders."
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/donald-trump-moab-bomb-syria-afghanistan-libya-wars-caused-middle-east-a7684181.html


60 Islamic State members, including senior member, killed in western Mosul:
Federal Police chief, Lt. Gen Shaker Jawdat, said his forces killed 60 IS members while advancing in al-Farouq, a district near the Old City's Nuri al-Kabir Mosque
http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/police-60-islamic-state-members-including-senior-member-killed-western-mosul/


ISIS launches 2nd chemical attack in Mosul in 2 days, injures 6 Iraqi soldiers :
The chemical attack on Sunday occurred in a recently-liberated area of Mosul, where the Federal Police and Rapid Response forces are advancing towards the old city
https://www.rt.com/news/384995-isis-chemical-gas-attack-mosul/


A Father Describes Saving His Daughter From U.S. Bombardment of Mosul:
Corpses were everywhere in the ruins of the building; more than 200 people were reportedly killed. Ali's wife was among them.
https://theintercept.com/2017/04/16/a-father-describes-saving-his-daughter-from-u-s-bombardment-of-mosul/


Iraqi forces control 75% of western Mosul: municipal official:
Battles are currently concentrated around the Grand Nuri al-Kabir Mosque in the Old City, where troops prepare to storm the area with snipers, hand grenades and assault rifles
http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/iraqi-forces-control-75-western-mosul-municipal-official/


Yemeni Forces Shell Saudi Base, Kill 11 Soldiers :
On Monday, Yemeni troops targeted the Saudi military base of Habas in Jizan, killing eleven soldiers and destroying several of their vehicles, Saba news agency reported.
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/04/17/1381667/yemeni-forces-shell-saudi-base-kill-11-soldiers


Riyadh has long been reportedly frustrated by Cairo's unwillingness to send ground troops ;
Riyadh has been reportedly frustrated by Cairo's unwillingness to send ground troops to join the Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen.
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/4/17/egypts-sisi-offered-riyadh-40-000-soldiers-for-yemen-war


Turkey's Erdogan wins vote to boost president's powers:
With more than 99 percent of the ballots counted, 51.34 percent (24,789,242 votes) of people said "yes" to increase Erdogan's role compared with 48.667 percent that cast "no" -- 23,499,390. The turnout was 87 percent.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/04/16/Turkeys-Erdogan-wins-vote-to-boost-presidents-powers/2491492351239/


The Turkish referendum is a victory in name only for Erdogan:
The incredibly close vote leaves a nation bitterly divided, with little chance of a smooth transition
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/04/16/Turkeys-Erdogan-wins-vote-to-boost-presidents-powers/2491492351239/


Turkish opposition calls for referendum result to be annulled over unstamped ballots:
It is illegal to count the unstamped ballots as valid, Tezcan said. He added that his party had received complaints from a number of regions where people couldn't vote in privacy.
https://www.rt.com/news/385029-turkey-unstamped-ballots-referendum/


Palestinian prisoners go on mass hunger strike:
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners start hunger strike to demand basic rights as Israeli jails' conditions hit 'new low'.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/palestinian-prisoners-launch-mass-hunger-strike-170416173501861.html


Gaza's only power plant runs out of fuel:
Two million Palestinians in the besieged territory now down to a few hours of electricity a day as tensions rise.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/gaza-power-plant-runs-fuel-170416165402729.html


US attack 'kills more than 100 in Somalia :
US aircraft attacked southern Somalia on Saturday morning, killing more than 100 Al-Shabaab militants, including 20 commanders, residents and officials have said.
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/US-strikes--kill-100-Shabaab-terrorists--/1056-3892344-oqhpjw/


11 civilians killed in the southern Afghan province of Helmand:
"The blast was powerful and all those on board the van were killed," Zhwak said, adding that officials were trying to determine whether any women or children were among the victims.
https://financialtribune.com/articles/international/62491/roadside-bomb-kills-11-in-afghanistan


Hamid Karzai: MOAB 'brutal act against innocent people':
Attack that saw the United States drop the largest non-nuclear bomb on Afghanistan was a "brutal act" against Afghan people, the environment and the country's sovereignty, Hamid Karzai, former president
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/hamid-karzai-moab-brutal-act-innocent-people-170416103738743.html


Trump Is Willing to Consider a Sudden Strike on North Korea;
Trump is willing to consider ordering "kinetic" military action, including a sudden strike, to counteract North Korea's destabilizing actions in the region,
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-16/mcmaster-rules-nothing-out-as-trump-team-mulls-north-korea-moves


US said preparing strike on N. Korean nuclear program:
The UK's Sunday Times reported that top military advisers to US President Donald Trump have told their British counterparts that Washington was considering a preemptive strike against North Korea's nuclear program,
http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-said-preparing-strike-to-utterly-destroy-n-korean-nuclear-program/


Pence warns North Korea that 'era of strategic patience is over':
Pence made an unannounced visit to the Demilitarized Zone Monday in a U.S. show of force that allowed the vice-president to gaze at North Korean soldiers from afar and stare directly across a border.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/mike-pence-north-korea-1.4072625

Gen.H.R. McMaster after North Korea failed missile test: Trump 'will take action':
"The president is determined not to allow this kind of capability to threaten the United States. And our president will take action that is in the best interest of the American people."
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hr-mcmaster-after-north-korea-failed-missile-test-trump-will-take-action-to-protect-us/article/2620397


North Korea on 'maximum alert' after US threats:
Pyongyang tells Washington its nuclear weapons are 'not an illusion' following US threats.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/north-korea-maximum-alert-threats-170417131518873.html


Russia warns US against unilateral strike on N. Korea:
"We do not accept the reckless nuclear missile actions of Pyongyang that breach UN resolutions, but that does not mean that you can break international law," he said.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4418374/Russia-warns-US-against-unilateral-strike-N-Korea.html


US Deploys Two More Aircraft Carriers Toward Korean Peninsula:
According to a report by South Korea's primary news outlet, Yonhap, the Pentagon has directed a total of three US aircraft carriers toward the Korean Peninsula, citing a South Korean government source.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-17/us-deploys-two-more-aircraft-carriers-toward-korean-peninsula-yonhap


China, Russia send ships after U.S. aircraft carrier:
China and Russia have dispatched intelligence-gathering vessels from their navies to chase the USS Carl Vinson nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which is heading toward waters near the Korean Peninsula
http://www.sltrib.com/home/5183435-155/china-russia-send-ships-after-us


The power of propaganda:
37% of U.S. Voters Ready to Take Military Action Against North Korea:
38% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the North Korean government wants a war with the United States, up from 27% in December 2014.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/north_korea/37_ready_to_take_military_action_against_north_korea


It's time for America to cut South Korea loose:
Why is the United States, which dominates the globe militarily, politically, and economically, fixated on this poor, isolated, and distant nation? Because America has gotten entangled where it does not belong.
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/04/its_time_for_america_to_cut_so.html


US conducts tests for upgraded nuclear bomb:
Work on the B61-12 has been going on for years, the AP noted, while government officials characterized the latest tests with mock versions of the bomb as vital to refurbishing efforts.
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/329002-us-conducts-tests-for-improved-nuclear-bomb


UN Peacekeepers Gave Haitian Kids Snacks to be Part of Sex Ring:
More than 100 U.N. Peacekeepers stationed in Haiti have been implicated in a child sex ring where children as young as 12 years old were exploited, but have never been held accountable for their abuses
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/UN-Peacekeepers-Gave-Haitian-Kids-Snacks-to-be-Part-of-Sex-Ring-20170415-0011.html


Border wall could leave some Americans on 'Mexican side':
The border wall President Donald Trump has imagined could seal some Americans on the "Mexican side" - technically on U.S. soil, but outside of a barrier built north of the river separating the two countries.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/border-wall-could-leave-americans-mexican-side-153449411.html


Trump Administration Is Removing Climate Change Research from Government Websites:
Science, particularly climate change science, is under attack in the United States.
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=18871


Women could be forced to sign up to US military draft by 2018:
A new measure has been passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee and could become law : Each uniformed chief of the services testified to their personal support of including women in the requirement to register for selective service."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/women-could-be-forced-to-sign-up-to-us-military-draft-by-2018-a7028411.html


Berkeley Protest: 20 Arrested, 11 Injured At Saturday's Patriots Day Rally:
A large number of fights occurred and numerous fireworks were thrown in the crowds. There were also been numerous reports of pepper spray being used in the crowd
https://patch.com/california/berkeley/explosions-fights-pepper-spray-berkeley-patriots-day-rally-police


VIDEO: Berkeley cops sit in patrol car and watch as Trump supporters attacked:
One observer claimed police "ran away," despite several Trump rally attendees being attacked:
http://www.theamericanmirror.com/video-berkeley-cops-sit-patrol-car-trump-supporters-attacked/


Proof that U.S. voters love bombing Syria? 50% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump's job performance:
This is the first time the president's overall approval rating has been back in the 50s in nearly a month.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration/prez_track_apr17


Poll: Big Drop In Number Who Think Trump Will Keep Promises;
Just 45 percent of adults surveyed from April 5-9 think Trump will keep his promises, according to Gallup. That's down from 62 percent who believed he would, two weeks after Trump's inauguration.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-will-not-keep-promises-gallup


Trump Blasts 'Fake Media,' Praises Fox News In Early Morning Tweetstorm:
He also promoted a humor book titled "Reasons To Vote For Democrats," which is filled with blank pages.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-twitter-fox-friends


Trump demands gold-plated welcome:
President insists on a carriage journey down The Mall to Buckingham Palace
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trump-demands-gold-plated-welcome-xjnffdq32